From time to time,
hoping for something sublime,
I check the rear-view mirror
as I’m driving to work,
thinking maybe to see
that first blazing edge of the sun
rising through the ridge of the eastern sky,
its glorious red rim
setting fire to the whole of what gathers
above the earth.

I pause occasionally,
check the road ahead of me
just to be sure I don’t run over someone
or catch the front end of some semi
railing the white line
on its way toward Saint Louis.

Every now and then,
I’ll see the softer view
of gentle hues
and quiet tones,
the slightest touch of pink
on the feathered edges of light clouds,
calm and quiet
above the edge of the earth toward the west.

It is good from time to time
to turn away from our search for the spectacular
and take in the humble beauty
that spreads around us,
to adore the meek and quiet spirit
that truly shows us the nearness of Christ.

H. Arnett
1/30/12